travel buddy for Cuba - dec 14

1.
Posted byLaura Salty(First Time Poster 1 posts) 2y
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Hi everyone,

I'm going to Cuba from the 1st -23rd December 2014. As none of my friends can get the time of work and I'm single I'm going on my own.

I would like to do a mixture of things when there, check out Havana, some cultural stuff, snorkel (I haven't done it before) have some beach times, go out to bars, explore etc etc.

Although I'm fine with going on my own I don't want to get lonely. If anyone is around in Cuba and wants to travel a bit together or knows any good ways of meeting other people there that would be great.

Thanks for reading :-)Laura

2.
Posted byCheersT(Travel Guru 2570 posts) 2y
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Just a heads up... Cuba doesn't (thank God) have a Khao San Road so there's no (thank God) easy stereotypical backpacker scene there (yet) but that's changing quickly.

It's one of the most interesting/complicated easily accessible destinations on the planet that receives a pile of foreign tourists, but the vast majority of them are sequestered on all-inclusive resorts.

Bottom line, as soon as you leave the usual tourist areas it's not easy to meet fellow foreigners... but that's the beauty of Cuba.

Meeting locals is crazy easy... especially as a single woman... don't be overwhelmed...

Have fun.

Cheers,Terry

3.
Posted bybcn87(First Time Poster 1 posts) 2y
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Hi Laura,I'm planning to be in Cuba from the 6th-21th of December.It would be nice to do part of this travell together. I'm also interested in the snorkelling and discover the culture and the lifestyle, I don't like the ressorts, I am planning to stay in casas particulares (or hostels where is possible) and travel in viazul. I am interested in visiting viñales, trinidad, santa clara,..... Well I don't know yet, I'm quite open to everything.It seems that there are places in Cuba where you can see turtles, swim with dolphins, or see sharks but some of them are to difficult or expensive to reachI am also looking information about the san lazaro procession, it seems it's quite authentic, perhaps too much XD

Well, we can keep in contact if you want!!By the way, my name is Silvia and I am from Barcelona.

Nice to meet you,

Silvia

4.
Posted byCheersT(Travel Guru 2570 posts) 2y
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Some additional thoughts...

1.) If you're an experienced traveller in developing countries and you've stayed in inexpensive hostels/hotels elsewhere then Cuba will hold no surprises. Travelling independently in Cuba will be fairly easy.

2.) Cuba is no longer an exotic destination. There are loads of excellent guide books like Moon, Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, etc. and there are several Internet forums/blogs (like this one) that make it an easy place to research.

3.) The whole country is very safe and non-threatening. Crime/scams are minimal compared to most other Latin destinations. With normal common sense and streets smarts it's almost impossible to get into any serious trouble.

4.) Cuba has a very defined Gringo Trail with decent transport and accommodation options. If you're still nervous it's easy to have a local guide/resolver/travel agent give you a nice comfort zone by setting you up with a semi-arranged itinerary so you're not completely on your own.

5.) For a first time visitor a guide book is BY FAR your most important (and cheapest/easiest) investment to start your research.